[GUB]

Same can be said of the 1.7's and the F2's

Just to clarify that - all f1.7 the same (6 elements) and all f2 the same(5 elements).

[Kim Coxon]

Just to clarify that - all f1.7 the same (6 elements) and all f2 the same(5 elements).

7 elements in 6 groups for all the 1.4's and indeed most of the 42mm 1.4's screwmount lenses. ( the exception is the sought after 8 element version). The 1.2's were also 7 element in 6 groups.
6 elements in 5 groups for the 1.7's
5 elements in 5 groups for the 2's.

[GUB]

7 elements in 6 groups for all the 1.4's and indeed most of the 42mm 1.4's screwmount lenses. ( the exception is the sought after 8 element version). The 1.2's were also 7 element in 6 groups.
6 elements in 5 groups for the 1.7's
5 elements in 5 groups for the 2's.

All agreed - it was just that your comment was ambiguous.

[lytrytyr]

Yes it does. But then again the 50/1.4M has the same optical specification as the 50/1.4A, 50/1.4F and 50/1.4FA.

Not quite.

The cemented join in the M 50/1.4 is a little flatter,
which is supposed to optimize more for long distances.

Here are the diagrams from the "K-mount page"
for the M (above) and A (below):

[monochrome]

You forgot one.

I remember when you bought that lens. And the camera that came with it

[Kim Coxon]

There is also a minor difference in the K and A 1.2 lenses. The K has 8 blades while the A has 9.

And yes the 50/1.4 were tweaked between the M and A version. It is described in detail on Stan's Pentax site.

Brief Comments mm Lenses

---------- Post added 09-19-18 at 05:28 PM ----------

I remember when you bought that lens. And the camera that came with it

About the only camera I have bought which has gone up markedly in value. lol

[monochrome]

About the only camera I have bought which has gone up markedly in value. lol

Nice to see you’ve joined. Your generosity, and depth of knowledge on all things Pentax - and willingness to share them - is a wonderful resource for the community.

[lytrytyr]

And yes the 50/1.4 were tweaked between the M and A version. It is described in detail on Stan's Pentax site.

Unfortunately, the comments there only refer vaguely to "improvement" from the M to the A's.

While the change may have improved performance at near distances
(the hundred-times-the-focal-length distance so beloved of testers),
the commentators do not differentiate between near and far performance.

I haven't used my M 50/1.4 on more than 12 MP APS-C,
but there it would get down to a blur factor of below 2 pixels
when focused at infinity.

[cyberjunkie]

I still have to read a few posts, sorry if it has been already mentioned.
Just checked Photodo polish test site looking for tests of Pentax lenses.
I trust their tests, and I am positively impressed by the number of Pentax lenses they have considered, including some vintage ones.
Definitely uncommon, and a good indicator that they are not doing just "paid reviews", as some others probably do.
I noticed three tests of Pentax lenses in this focal range.
I own all of them, and I fully agree with their conclusions.
The 8-elements Super Tak scores impressive numbers, considering the age and the single coating.
The FA 1.4/50mm does a little better, with good sharpness in the center and less than impressive scores at the borders.
Vignetting is a problem with both lenses, but in digital times it's quite easy to compensate in PP.
The D FA 50mm Macro does amazingly well, with values at the center/borders that surpass those of the D FA 100mm!
Considering that the optical design is the same as the F and FA versions, I guess the older models would score at the same levels.

From my personal point of view, if sharpness is the goal, the 50mm macro is the one to choose. My Pentax-F Macro 50mm is one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used!
If I need shallow DOF and AF, I'm fine with the FA.
Though most of the times I don't need autofocus, and I prefer to go for the low-contrast, beautiful rendition of the Super Tak 1.4/50mm (early 8-elements), or even the more extreme SMC Pentax 1.2/50mm.
I shoot many pictures at night, in that case I don't like the strong LoCA (bokeh fringing) that the f/1.2 shows in OOF highlights, so I often go for the Revuenon 1.2/55mm, that has less bokeh fringing and is as sharp as the Pentax.
All in all, the Pentax-F Macro 2.8/50mm and the Revuenon/Tomioka 1.2/55mm share my (personal) throne of the fifties

[MilkaSchokoHase87]

Also, it seems you are missing the M 50/2?

I found it. I got it in a camera case

[abruzzi]

Quick MTF: Lens testing software

It’s paid software, but the first 40 tests are free in he demo version. That should cover all the lenses.

[MilkaSchokoHase87]

Thx abruzzi